Lake Crook - 2022 Survey Report

Prepared by Jacob Norman and Quintin Dean
Inland Fisheries Division
Tyler North District

This is the author's summary from a 25-page report. For a copy of the complete report, use the download link in the sidebar.

Fish populations in Lake Crook were surveyed in 2022 using electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing, trap netting and in 2023 using gill netting. Historical data are presented with the 2022-2023 data for comparison. This report summarizes the results of the surveys and contains a management plan for the reservoir based on those findings.

Reservoir Description

Lake Crook is a 1,060-acre impoundment located on Pine Creek in the Red River Basin approximately 2 miles north of Paris, Texas. Primary water uses included municipal water supply and recreation. Water level has remained within two feet of conservation pool since 2010. Lake Crook has high productivity. Habitat features consisted of natural shoreline and native vegetation (primarily American lotus).

Management History

Important sport fish include White Crappie and catfish. Blue Catfish were stocked in 2015 and Channel Catfish were stocked in 2018. The management plan from the 2018 survey report primarily focused on monitoring the sportfish and prey fish populations through a combination of standard electrofishing, low-frequency electrofishing and trap netting in 2022 and gill netting in 2023.

Fish Community

• Prey species: Threadfin Shad were present in the reservoir and electrofishing catch rate was high. Electrofishing catch rate of Gizzard Shad was moderate and 67% were available as prey to most sport fish. Electrofishing catch of Bluegill was low and most were less than six inches long.
• Catfishes: Blue and Channel Catfish were present in the reservoir. Blue Catfish abundance remains fair and have the potential to provide angling opportunities.
• Largemouth Bass: Largemouth Bass were present in the reservoir in low densities and were primarily under 14 inches in length.
  Crappie: White Crappie abundance was moderate. The number of legal-length crappie increased from the previous survey.

Management Strategies

Continue managing sportfish with statewide regulations. Reinstate trap nets as standard sampling for crappie. Inform the public about the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species.

Performance Report as required by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act Texas Federal Aid Project F-221-M-5 Inland Fisheries Division Monitoring and Management Program